Pope Benedict XVI resigns

The 265th Pope has announced his resignation. Pope Benedict XVI, whose Papacy began on April 19, 2005, will resign on February 28, 2013. In a statement he said: "After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry." Here we look back at his seven years as head of the Catholic Church.

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Pope Benedict XVI kisses a baby at the end of his weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican

Pope Benedict XVI kisses a baby at the end of his weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican October 12, 2011. REUTERS/Max Rossi (ITALY - Tags: RELIGION)